CDCR takes fourth in Baker to Vegas relay run

June 4, 2024

The 2024 Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay saw CDCR place fourth in its division and rank 44 out of 258 participating teams.

From March 23-24, teams raced across 120 miles of desert from Baker, Calif., to Las Vegas, Nev.

The race hosts hundreds of teams from all over the world with members from law enforcement. Teams travel from all over the world to compete against each other in a test of physical endurance and teamwork.

The CDCR team ran in honor of previous Team Captain, retired Sgt. Mike McDowel, who passed away after being diagnosed with cancer.

CDCR team:

Leg 1: Giovanni Perezchica, Wasco State Prison, Correctional Officer (CO)
Leg 2: Richard Aybar, California Institution for Women (CIW), CO retired
Leg 3: Raul Castellanos, California State Prison-Los Angeles County (LAC), CO
Leg 4: Adalberto Diaz, CIW, CO
Leg 5: Timothy Abarca, California Rehabilitation Center, sergeant
Leg 6: Crystal Morales, LAC, CO
Leg 7: Daniel Lee, LAC, lieutenant
Leg 8: David Landeros, LAC, CO
Leg 9: Joshua Walker, LAC, CO
Leg 10: Justin Lugar, Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), parole agent
Leg 11: Isaac Alvarez, CIW, CO
Leg 12: Armando Lopez, DAPO, parole agent
Leg 13: Lei Shi, CIW, CO
Leg 14: Gregg Chamberlain, California Men’s Colony
Leg 15: Babek Izadseta, California Institution for Men (CIM), CO
Leg 16: Tina Pease, CIW, CO
Leg 17: Bradley Garcia, CIM, CO
Leg 18: Nestor Perez, CIW, CO
Leg 19: Orlando Saldana, CIW, CO
Leg 20: Jeff Soares, Correctional Training Facility, associate warden, retired

Alternate runners

Eric Lauren, Office of Correctional Safety, special agent, retired
S. Tello, CIW, CO
A. Cervantes, CIW, CO
Q. Lan CIW, CO
B. Gonzalez, LAC, CO

The team is always searching for new runners and support personnel. If interested in volunteering for the 2025 event, contact Correctional Officer Orlando Saldana or Parole Agent Armando Lopez (emails found in Global).